Analyst: You Won’t Control Your iTV, You’ll Finger Its ‘iRing’

It wasn't good enough as a concept for Apple, but since when has that stopped Microsoft?

Brian White, an analyst with Topeka Capital Markets, brings us a crazy new rumor about the much-anticipated Apple television today following recent meetings with supply chain sources in China and Taiwan.

White claims that the “iTV” will finally launch during the second half of 2013, and that it’ll come with a miniature device called the “iRing”, which the user will wear on their finger to act as a pointer. The device will enhance the motion detection experience and take over some of the functions of the traditional remote control, apparently.

“Our meeting with an [sic] tech supply chain company suggests to us that a full blown Apple ‘iTV’ will launch in the latter part of 2013,” wrote White in a note to investors on Wednesday. “Clearly, there has been plenty of mis-guided speculation around the timing of the Apple’s ‘iTV’ launch and we believe that this is largely due to changes by Apple, most recently around the creation of entirely new user interface aesthetics.”

White believes that the iTV will come a 60-inch display, but says 50- to 55-inch options could also be available. He also says that it will come with an additional 9.7-inch “mini iTV” screen that will allow users to view content and do other things around the home.

“Essentially, we believe the “mini iTV” screens will be able to capture content from the 60-inch “iTV” across a distance of up to 200 meters, allowing a user to view “iTV” content in the kitchen, washroom, garage, bedroom, backyard, etc.,” White wrote.

“We believe Apple will offer one “mini iTV” per “iTV” but package options will include up to four screens (i.e., one screen is part of the standard package and pay extra for each additional). While the “mini iTV” screens will be similar in size compared to the iPad, and thus allow for some manufacturing efficiencies, the capabilities and features will be very basic and thus not an iPad replacement.”

It seems silly that Apple will made another 9.7-inch tablet to be used with the iTV when the device is already likely to be compatible with an iPad. It’s more likely the company would just make additional features available to iPad users instead. But that’s not the craziest bit about White’s note.

The craziest bit is the part that mentions the “iRing,” the device we will supposedly wear on our fingers to control the TV with motion. It sounds like the dumbest way ever to control a TV, and certainly not a method Apple would run with given its focus on simplicity. We already lose remotes down the side of the couch; how difficult will it be to ensure our iRings don’t get lost.

What’s more, following a basic remote and iOS devices, the iRing would be a third way to control the iTV — maybe even a fourth if White’s claim about the “mini iTV” is correct. White also claims the rumored “iWatch” will be able to control it as well. That’s five devices controlling one TV. That’s not simple at all.

At the end of his note, White says that consumers will pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for the iTV package, including a mini iTV and an iRing. But the package could be subsidized by certain service providers.

Is this not one of the strangest iTV rumors we’ve seen so far? Almost none of it seems plausible to me. It’s almost as if White forgot that April Fool’s Day pranks are only valid on April 1.